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You probably encounter overwrapping every day, even if you
are not entirely sure what it is. So what exactly is overwrapping, and what
benefits does it provide over other types of wrapping? Here we take a closer
look.

Overview of Overwrapping

Overwrapping is a process used to wrap products. Essentially, overwrapping refers to wrapping a product using a flexible material, which could be paper, stretch film or even foil.

However, it usually refers to a specific type of wrapping
called ‘tuck and fold’. This makes use of heat sealable film, which is wrapped
around a product – or various products – and then sealed in a way that the end
folds resemble an envelope.

Basic Overwrapping Process

Overwrapping is carried out using an overwrapping machine. Heat sealable film is fed into the machine from a roll, which is then folded around the product. Sometimes it goes around one item, but sometimes it goes around a bundle of items.

Once the film is in position, the sealing takes place. This
can use various techniques, but heating is the most common. In this case, the
folded film is closed by a heated sealing device.

This machine automates the process and allows for the
overwrapping of many items in a short space of time.

Advantages of Overwrapping

Overwrapping is not always the right solution for your
products, but it has a number of advantages that make it well worth considering
in many situations.

Versatile – It can be used as primary wrapping (where the material comes into contact with the product), or as secondary wrapping (where the product has already been packaged). It can also be used to wrap bundles of products.

Attractive – Overwrapping looks appealing and adds a high-quality hand-wrapped feel
to a product, which is ideal for things like beauty products.

Tamper Proof – If
the product with overwrapping is tampered with and the seal is broken, it is
very difficult to reseal. As a result, it provides an extra level of security.

Better Shelf Life – Its strong seal prevents cross-contamination and helps to keep aromas
locked inside, which is ideal for strong-smelling products like perfume.

Promotion Benefits – The film can be printed on directly, and in this way it can be used to
print promotional messages without the need to add labels.

Cost-Effective –
One of the major benefits of overwrapping is that it is typically cheaper than
other options like shrink wrapping.

Reduced Waste –
Overwrapping produces less waste than shrink wrapping, and biodegradable film
wastage can be composted.

Easy to Open – The wrapping can also be removed with the hands quickly and easily
without causing damage to the product by introducing a tear tape.

Consider Overwrapping for Your Products

There are many reasons why overwrapping is often a great
option for packaging, whether that is because of its reduced costs, more
attractive presentation or ability to keep products safe. So consider using
overwrapping for your products, and enjoy all the benefits that it provides.

Flexible packaging such as pallet wrapping and shrink-wrapping is a key component within the supply chain of many industries and products, combining all of the best qualities of plastics and films whilst boasting minimal materials, production and costs. Flexible packaging is a packaging solution that continues to grow in popularity on a daily basis, and therefore if you are considering utilising it within your business, we do not blame you! However, read this buyers guide first…

Why Flexible Packaging?

There are so many different reasons why businesses all over the world choose to use flexible packaging when it comes to packaging their much-loved products, however four of the main reasons definitely include:

When it comes to flexible packaging there are so many different options available and therefore it is important that you understand some of the terms and materials used within the flexible packaging industry before you start looking for the most suitable flexible packaging solution for your company. To get you started, here are some of the terms/materials that you may come across:

Stand up pouches

Stand up pouches function as their name suggest – standing up right on shelves. Stand up pouches have airtight closure and boast incredibly visual capabilities, able to be customised to meet exact specifications and needs. Stand up pouches have multiple barrier layers of protection to suit almost all products.

Flexible films

There are many different flexible film materials available, however ten of the most popular include:

(PA) Polyamide – A film that works well as an outer layer, boasting a gas/aroma barrier and superior heat resistance

Flexible foil packaging is mainly used by the food and pharmaceutical industries, used to keep products fresh and safe by blocking air, light, dampness, bacteria, and thus increasing product shelf live. Foil packaging is also advantageous because it is recyclable.

Focus Packaging – Here to Help

If anyone is unsure which flexible packaging solution best suits their business and individual/company requirements, our highly knowledgeable and professional team are only ever a phone call or email away and always happy to help. Do not hesitate to get in touch today.

What is Flexible Packaging?

The term ‘flexible packaging’ refers to non-rigid packaging structures used to package and protect products. According to the Flexible Packaging Association, flexible packaging is any packaging or any part of a packaging whose shape can be readily changes, with popular flexible packaging solutions including shrink-wrapping and pallet wrapping.

Flexible packaging is rapidly growing in popularity, with pouches, films, bags, envelopes, sachets, wraps and foils now being used to package a vast range of products all over the world on a daily basis. Just some of the industries currently utilising flexible packaging to its full potential include pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food and beverage, household and garden and health and beauty, amongst many others. With this is mind it is no wonder why the flexible packaging solutions we offer here at Focus Packaging have become so highly sought after, and today we are here to provide just some of the benefits flexible packaging offers, with the ultimate intention of enabling even more companies to take up the packaging method.

Four Reasons Why Flexible Packaging is So Popular

Shipping friendly – Flexible packaging is lightweight, making it affordable to distribute both domestically and internationally. It is incredibly shipping friendly, with the packaging weighing up to 70% less than traditional rigid packaging solutions. Less weight means lower shipping costs, which is beneficial to both sellers and consumers.

Less wasteful – Flexible packaging uses much less plastic than rigid containers, providing an economical alternative that contains less waste, simply wrapping the products instead of having to package the space surrounding products also.

Appealing to consumers – Flexible packaging is very attractive to consumers, not only because it can allow for consumers to see exactly what is inside packets but also because it can be branded to meet all requirements and specifications.

Product protection – Flexible packaging such as shrink film often incorporates barrier material that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays, moisture, dirt, grease and other contaminations, meaning that flexible packaging can even be used to package food products.

We Can Help You

If you would like to learn more about flexible packaging or would like to discover the best flexible packaging options for your company, we are here to help and only a phone call away should you have any questions.

In today’s world, consumers expect the highest quality product, however, just like Christmas the packaging must reflect the standards of the product they have spent their hard-earned money on.

Branding

Packaging says a lot about your brand! Your brand will be associated with the presentation provided. especially in terms of packaging and promotional materials.

This presents a challenge, in terms of producing high quality presentation whilst remaining within your profit margin without increasing costs. As a merchant, you may feel like the only option is to increase prices to meet consumer demands. However, there are options available to you that mean you can continue to offer your current competitive prices, increase the quality of your packaging and retain your current customer base all without increasing your prices.

This may be a concern, are you cutting corners? Are you meeting the strict product and packaging regulations that mean you can continue to produce the quality and quantity you need to maintain your reputation as a supplier whilst maintaining the quality expected? Can you continue to compete in your market? The short answer is yes, and we can explain why.

Technology in the industry has advanced. Your first question may be why? The answer is simple, we listen to our customers, their on-going day-to-day problems and advise as to the changes that we can make to your machinery that can optimise operations so that production is more precise, high-quality and reduces waste. Optimisation of the production process means superb end products, perfection packaging and presentation that will put you in a class of your own, distinguishing you from your competitors so that your brand is the only brand that springs to mind when they think about your products.

Automation, may seem like a one size fits all solution. However, advancements in technology means that your packaging will be completely unique, distinguished and lower packing and production costs.

How Do We Do It

In order to stay up to date and continue to provide the best service for our valued clients we have realised we must remain competitive in every avenue. This means, adopting to state-of-art machinery to produce packaging that meets the requirements of consumers expectations.

We work by improving operational efficiency, overall operations and automation, resulting in reducing production times and cost in both economical and productivity of paid staff members reducing, cost per hour whilst making workers happier due to less labour-intensive work and faster production without the need for manual corrections.

There are a huge variety of elements that can affect so many factors of your production line. The line and the smooth operation of your packaging products is tied directly to your business growth, revenue and the reduction of cost whilst improving your overall return on investment.

Adhering to the high standards of packaging and shipping and meet all quality and safety standards are of course, the number one priority. However, how efficiently you can meet these standards is what will make or break your business over the long term.

The sheer number of moving parts in a packaging business can seem overwhelming and everything from the materials to the machinery plays an integral part in the efficiency of your business. This is alongside reducing waste, whilst delivering a higher standard of end product to your customers.

When you improve the efficiency of your packaging you improve your production process, help your business expand and maintain on-going growth ensuring that you dominate your market place. It is also very rewarding in aiding in achieving the highest revenue possible from your business and set in place benchmarks for ensured growth.

A Greener Industrial Future

Extreme advancements have been implemented to help tackle the ongoing eco-friendly obstacles that lay between manufacturers and their optimal performance rates. New developments have meant that not only is packaging more flexible, easier to custom design and dye and it is also much more environmentally friendly. Making a better planet for us all whilst providing materials that out perform their predecessors.

Buyers are now buying from a more ethical stand point taking into consideration the production and the materials that are used. As a manufacturer there are so many considerations to make and this adds to the long list to ensure that customers are not only happy with the quality of the packaging and products, but also feel happy that they are making ethical choices that will benefit future generations.

Keep your manufacturing process to meet these demands at the very forefront of your mind when deciding your product packaging. For most, this can be a last minute consideration leaving them with no choice but to make last minute alterations that are often extremely expensive, reduce profit margins and can lead to a design that is often less than satisfactory.

Packaging Machinery

Making an investment that could save you money in the long-term still requires short term losses. Therefore, it is important to access the areas where costs can be reduced in other areas. For instance, labour costs are instantly reduced when more advanced machinery that requires less manual assistance. Now, the same work force can be utilised to reduce damage or increase work speed capacity in other areas of the work place.

Reducing Costs

For all business owners, we know that reducing costs whilst improving your overall return on investment is what will ensure the longevity and success of your company. Simply reviewing the materials you use on a daily basis is the best place to start and you will see dramatic changes not just in cost reduction but also an increase in orders due to the more eco conscious customers now choosing you over your competitors.

Focus Packaging Ltd. is the premier provider of specialised packaging solutions in the UK. With over 15 years of industry experience, we have emerged as a one-stop destination for all your packaging-related needs. Our comprehensive stock of heat sealers have been developed using state-of-the-art technology and are offered at very competitive prices.

We Offer a Wide Range of Heat Sealers

At Focus Packaging Ltd., we carry an extensive selection of heat sealers including impulse heat sealers, vacuum heat sealers, constant sealers, heavy duty heat sealers, hand held sealers, pedestal mounted sealers and bench top sealers. Our state of the art sealing machinery can effectively seal an array of materials, such as polythene bags, PVC, tubing and more. Irrespective of what kind of heat sealer you need for the smooth operation of your business, we have the perfect solution for you.

Our Heat Sealers Can be Customised to Meet Specific Requirements

Focus Packaging Ltd. works with a dynamic team of highly-skilled professionals who are proficient in developing made to order heat sealers. Our bespoke sealing machines can take care of any specialised packaging needs you have. By making use of advanced and innovative technology, our sealing machinery meets stringent business needs, along with fitting in to your exact budget requirements

We Carry a Selection of Automatic L-Sealers and Shrink Tunnel Equipment

If your business requires you to seal large volumes of small or lightweight items, you should check out our selection of automatic L-sealers and shrink tunnel equipment. By utilising this machinery, you will be guaranteed optimum output with very little effort. Furthermore, the products will automatically move along the conveyor belt and you will only be required to remove the product from the belt, once the process is completed.

If you need to seal extremely large or bulky items, you can integrate into your automated production line a sealer with LDPE shrink film.

All our L-sealers and shrink tunnel equipment are available not only to buy, but also to lease.

All Our Products Are Designed to Last

At Focus Packaging Ltd., we are dedicated to providing manual and automatic heat sealers of the highest quality. Our products have a robust design and industrial quality strength to ensure the smooth operation of the packaging process.

Industries need technology – that is a fact of the game. Packaging-focused industries in particular have seen a growing influence of technology in warehouses across the world. The reason? Manual labour is becoming less efficient beside the rising power of machinery when wrapping pallets. Machines are undoubtedly faster, more secure, and provide a more uniform application of stretch wrap across all pallets to minimise industry costs spent on supplies. For these reasons, many industries are turning to pallet wrapping machines to ensure their pallets are wrapped to the highest standards for transportation and storage. With so many pallet wrapping machines on the market, how can you determine which is the best?

Saving You Time, Effort, and Money

At its core, pallet wrapping is a simple yet time consuming process. Stretch wrap is applied across the surface of a loaded pallet to prevent pallet movement during transit and to protect all products contained within from the effects of weather and damage by other objects when in transit. When applied manually with hand stretch wrap, the pallets can suffer from a lack of uniformity that any business seeks to maintain across all transported goods. The stretch film is often subjected to tears and breakage when used which can cause businesses to lose valuable money in unused, damaged supplies.

Pallet wrapping machines save businesses the strain of damaged film and time consumption by providing a more effective alternative to manual stretch wrapping. Turntable-style pallet wrapping machines are able to be quickly loaded up and digital displays offer more advanced control and application of the film across all pallets. With stretch wrapping machines that can measure the height of a pallet and wrap it accordingly, there is minimal waste film used. Add to this that machine stretch wrap is often stronger and more durable than hand stretch wrap, requiring less layers of coverage for the same size of pallet. Add to all of this the fact that pallet wrapping machines operate far quicker than manual wrapping, and your business output is improved.

The way forward in pallet wrapping is the use of machinery, there is no question of this. (That is not to say smaller industries should not use hand stretch wrap – it still produces a fine result when applied properly!) Numerous manufacturers have begun to utilise their knowledge to benefit the packaging industry, resulting in pallet wrapping machines that make a smooth transition from manual to technical work. The following three ranges are the leaders of the pack.

1. Robopac

Undoubtedly the largest range of pallet wrapping products on the market is Robopac, providing quality sturdy machines to suit all levels of industry. With more than 20 years of experience under their manufacturing belts, these machines are trusted by industries worldwide to provide their machines, boasting over 130,000 machines in use internationally. For a recognisable name in your warehouse, Robopac is the range for you.

They supply models that are suited to businesses making their initial transition towards the use of pallet wrapping machines such as the Ecoplat Base. A semi-automatic turntable-style pallet wrapping machine, it has a maximum weight and height limit of 2000kg and 2200mm respectively. Easy-to-use controls are accessed through a base control panel, allowing user input to set various functions by using advanced electromechanical buttons. The in-built weigh scale has a digital readout function and offers you variable tensioning to suit your requirements. With a 3-year warranty backed by numerous UK engineers there is no reason not to invest in a new Robopac pallet wrapping machine. Supplying fully automatic stretch wrap machines, advanced mobile wrapping machinery, and traditional turntable machines all available for purchase, your professionals will be working with the very best the industry has to offer.

2. Aetna

Robopac products are part of the wider manufacturing group Aetna. Internationally renowned for their work with packaging technology, Aetna supply various pallet wrapping and packaging solutions for businesses worldwide. Reaching out across various types of pallet wrapping machinery means that they are able to supply your business with machines to suit all warehouse sizes and budgets.

For industrial professionals who can afford to invest in large-scale machinery, Aetna offer the ideal pallet wrapping station in their Helix 4 rotating arm pallet wrapper. Fully automatic and designed with a robust steel framework, the Helix 4 applies stretch film to pallets that require above-average amounts of film to be held securely, usually those that are prone to damage in the wrapping process. By using a rotary arm in its design, this model is capable of wrapping a pallet that does not fit the usual limitations other pallet wrappers conform to. This makes it the ideal choice for industries with a wide variety of pallets that are requiring wrapping, and with an average output of 80 pallet

3. C1 Pallet Wrapping Machines

Not to be outdone by competitors, C1 pallet wrapping machines are available that are supplied to businesses internationally. Their models are known for being used for the most strenuous of pallet wrapping tasks with an ability to be controlled by users and wrap pallets quickly and efficiently. Their products work as a suitable alternative to other larger competitors and their models have proven to be popular within packaging businesses as their name has grown.

The Alpha 601 pallet wrapping machine is another great entry-level pallet wrapping machine suited to smaller businesses who require a more affordable and efficient method of wrapping palletised products. It is ideal for saving your business time and money due to its ability to stretch film up to 400% its original length for use on between 40 – 100 pallets per day. It is perfect for low-output businesses that still require a pallet wrapping solution that comes recommended by other industry professionals. The Alpha range is more than able to suit your needs for a semi-automatic stretch wrap machine. Choosing from the Alpha 205, 406, 508 and more is up to you!

Choose The Model That Fits Your Business

These three manufacturers are just some of the numerous suppliers of pallet wrapping machines on the market. It is up to you to determine which model would best suit your needs, but be assured that in choosing any of these three, you will be buying three of the best. Keep your pallet wrapping stress-free and efficient. Choose a pallet wrapping machine the industry trusts. Contact us for more information on how to find the machine that is made for you.

Focus Packaging are pallet wrapping and stretch film specialists based in the West Midlands, with over 15 years’ experience of installing high quality Alpha pallet wrapping machines that are CE certified and HS compliant , throughout the UK. We offer the largest range of quality stretch films available. Buying the stretch film recommended by us will ensure that your pallet loads are wrapped at the lowest possible cost and that the load never slips off the pallet.

We endeavor to make our service total in that every ALPHA machine and every roll of BETA pallet stretch wrap sold comes with a guarantee, Also to ensure that you are never left alone to sort out a potential problem that may occur, we have a very experienced and dedicated team of service engineers covering the whole of England Scotland and Wales to look after our installations/your purchase. If you already have a pallet wrapper, we can service and repair it for you. We also offer pre used pallet wrappers that have been inspected, reconditioned and repainted in our engineering works and come with a guarantee.

With general packaging materials, we can design your packaging in corrugated cartons and cushion packaging. Hold them in stock and ship in, as required. Cartons can be either litho or screen printed. Should your packaging requirement need polythene, tamper evident seals, shrink film and carton tape, just ask.

It’s all part of the total service to ensure that your products arrive safely in well designed and functioning packaging.